South Central Reporter

Village of New Baden Board of Trustees met May 5.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

The Regular Meeting of the New Baden Village Board was held on Monday, May 5, 2025. The meeting was held at New Baden Village Hall, 1 E Hanover St, with a physical quorum of the New Baden Village Board present. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Zurliene at 7:00 pm. 

Present and answering to roll call: Mayor Taylor Zurliene; Trustees Bob Oster, Chris Locke, Rebecca Schomaker, Christine Jackson, and Larry Thoeming. Board Members Absent: Trustee Cindi Meredith-Wheelan. Staff Members Present: Village Clerk Teri Crane; Village Administrator/ Chief Building & Zoning Official Ricky Johnson; Attorney Luke Behme of Bruckert, Behme & Long, P.C.; Chief of Police Chuck Mackin; Public Works Commissioner Tim Deien; and Treasurer Casey Weekley. Staff Members Absent: Ambulance Director Allen Gilbert.

Schedule of Annual Meetings

Clerk Crane distributed the Village of New Baden Schedule of Annual Meetings for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.

Citizen to Address Board Bonnie 

Zurliene, mother of Mayor Zurliene, wanted everyone to know how proud she and his father, Glen, are of Taylor and appreciate his years of dedicated service to the Village of New Baden.

Consent Agenda 

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Schomaker to approve the Consent Agenda, which includes payment of current invoices and minutes from the Regular Meeting on April 21, 2025.

Ayes: Oster, Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: Meredith-Wheelan.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried

Bond Council for New Municipal Building 

Attorney Behme stated that his firm has reached out to a separate firm that specializes in Bonds for the financing of the new municipal building. An engagement letter from that firm will be presented at a future Board Meeting.

HaasHold Storage LLC Redevelopment Agreement 

Trustee Oster stated he has been working with Dennis Haas, owner of HaasHold Storage LLC, on the Redevelopment Agreement for the development of his property at 11401 State Route 161. The terms of the agreement have been finalized and the agreement will be presented for consideration at the next Board Meeting.

Pay Request #2 – Final: Richter School Road Ditch Improvements: Diekemper Excavating, LLC 

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to authorize Pay Request #2 – Final to Diekemper Excavating LLC for the Richter School Road Ditch Improvements Project in the amount of $3,891.25. The remaining balance stated in minutes from October 21, 2024 for Pay Request #1 reflected an incorrect amount; it did not include the amounts owed for the “seeding” line item.

Ayes: Oster, Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming.

Nays: None.

Absent: Meredith-Wheelan.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Oath of Office 

Mayor Zurliene spoke a few words to those present. He stated until he served on the Board and as Mayor of New Baden, he did not realize how complex things were, even in a small town. He is appreciative of his family, wife and kids for the amount of time they allowed him to dedicate to the Village during his tenure. 

Attorney Behme swore in Teri Crane as Village Clerk (term expires 2029).

Village Clerk Crane swore in Robert “Bob” Oster as Village President (term expires 2029). 

Village Clerk Crane swore in newly elected officials: Chris Locke (term expires 2029), Deborah Kalmer (term expires 2029), and Nicole Pederson (term expires 2029) 

Mayor Oster presented an American Flag flown at Village Hall on May 5, 2025, to Mayor Zurliene as a thank you for his years of service to the Village of New Baden. Mayor Zurliene served as a Village Trustee from 2016, when he was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Village Board and then elected for additional terms, until 2021 and then was elected Mayor from 2021 to 2025. 

Present and answering to roll call: Mayor Bob Oster; Trustees Chris Locke, Rebecca Schomaker, Christine Jackson, Larry Thoeming, Deborah Kalmer, and Nicole Pederson. 

Board Members Absent: None. Staff Members Present: Village Clerk Teri Crane; Village Administrator Ricky Johnson; Attorney Luke Behme of Bruckert, Behme & Long, P.C.; Chief of Police Chuck Mackin; Public Works Commissioner Tim Deien; and Treasurer Casey Weekley. Staff Members Absent: Ambulance Director Allen Gilbert.

Amend Agenda: Agenda Items 7(a) and 7(b) 

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to amend the agenda order for this meeting; moving items #7 Appointment of Municipal Officers: (a) Christy Picard – Budget Officer and (b) Christy Picard – Chief Building and Zoning Official for consideration after item #15 Approve Appointment: Village Administrator, Christy Picard

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Municipal Officer Appointments: Attorney, Clerk & Treasurer

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to approve the appointment of the following Municipal Officers: Luke Behme – Village Attorney; Teri Crane – Village Collector, and Casey Weekley – Village Treasurer.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Extension of Employment of Ricky G. Johnson, Jr. as Village Administrator 

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to approve the Extension of Employment of Ricky G. Johnson, Jr. as Village Administrator through May 9, 2025, for the purposes of Transition and Training in accordance with the terms of the Employment Agreement executed January 6, 2025.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Appointment: Ambulance Director, Allen Gilbert

A motion was made by Trustee Schomaker and seconded by Trustee Thoeming to approve the appointment of Allen Gilbert as Ambulance Director.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Resolution 2025-05-05-A: Employment Agreement for Ambulance Director, Allen Gilbert 

A motion was made by Trustee Schomaker and seconded by Trustee Thoeming to approve Resolution 2025-05-05-A: Authorizing an Employment Agreement with Allen Gilbert as Ambulance Director. Summary of the Employment Agreement: employment agreement ends April 30, 2029; employee is granted 160 hours of vacation leave; a base salary of $84,330.00; specifics regarding overtime pay; and a clause regarding transfer of operations from the Village to the Lookingglass Emergency Services District that was formed by referendum in November 2024.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Appointment: Chief of Police, Chuck Mackin 

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Schomaker to approve the appointment of Chuck Mackin as Chief of Police.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Resolution 2025-05-05-B: Employment Agreement for Chief of Police, Chuck Mackin 

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to approve Resolution 2025-05-05-B: Authorizing an Employment Agreement with Charles “Chuck” Mackin as Chief of Police. Summary of the Employment Agreement: employment agreement ends April 30, 2029; employee is granted 200 hours of vacation leave; uniform and duty gear allowance to match the current labor agreement with the other full-time members of the Department; and a base salary of $103,310.00.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Appointment: Commissioner of Public Works, Tim Deien 

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Locke to approve the appointment of Tim Deien as Commissioner of Public Works.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Resolution 2025-05-05-C: Employment Agreement for Commissioner of Public Works, Tim Deien 

A motion was made by Trustee Jackson and seconded by Trustee Thoeming to approve Resolution 2025-05-05-C: Authorizing an Employment Agreement with Tim Deien as Commissioner of Public Works. Summary of the Employment Agreement: employment agreement ends April 30, 2029; employee is granted 200 hours of vacation leave; uniform allowance to match the current labor agreement with the other full-time members of the Department; and a base salary of $94,465.00.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Appointment: Village Administrator, Christy Picard

A motion was made by Trustee Pederson and seconded by Trustee Thoeming to approve the appointment of Christy Picard as Village Administrator.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Municipal Officer Appointments: Budget Officer & Chief Building & Zoning Official 

A motion was made by Trustee Schomaker and seconded by Trustee Pederson to approve the appointment of the following Municipal Officers: Christy Picard – Budget Officer; and Christy Picard – Chief Building and Zoning Official.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Resolution 2022-05-05-D: Employment Agreement for Village Administrator, Christy Picard 

A motion was made by Trustee Schomaker and seconded by Trustee Pederson to approve Resolution 2025-05-05-D: Authorizing an Employment Agreement with Christy Picard as Village Administrator. Summary of the Employment Agreement: employment agreement ends December 31, 2025; employee to work a minimum of 2080 hours per calendar year (26 hours per week); a base salary of $50,000.00; and employee is granted 120 hours of vacation leave

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried.

Committee Assignments 

With the installation of the newly elected Board members, Mayor Oster has updated the Committee assignments for the Trustees for Fiscal Year 2025-2026.

There being no further business to be brought before the Village Board, a motion was made by Trustee Pederson and seconded by Trustee Locke to adjourn the meeting.

Ayes: Locke, Schomaker, Jackson, Thoeming, Kalmer, Pederson.

Nays: None.

Absent: None.

A majority of the Board voting aye, the motion carried; the meeting adjourned at 7:35 pm.

https://newbadenil.com/agendas-minutes/